Getting more out of my sump

[00rollins]

Had a 40 watt uv lying around and was trying to implement it into the filtration for my show tank. Wasn't crazy about the idea of adding an extra pump to the setup as there are already 3 fx5 and a 1200 gal return pump in the sump.




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[00rollins]

Got the old wheels turning.......

Decided to expand the wet dry compartment in the sump and utilize the return from the uv.

Usually diy takes me forever to complete, easily side tracked
But this came together quickly and as I had invisioned.

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[00rollins]

First prototype being tested in the sink. Pump and finished PVC portion of intake in a bucket powered on testing for leaks. 3 return lines from the uv unit 2 feed wet dry media and third is a dripline for plants to be added later. Dripline was plumed in at the lowest point to allow flow with the alt larger diamiter return lines. I went with hoses so I would be able to maneuver the return cover (in next pic)because I didn't have much room to hide uv and had to be able to easily maneuver for maintenance.




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[00rollins]

Fail, in the limited space I had angles were to sharp for the short lines to curve around.


Found these flex bilge pump hoses and with silicone tape and gaskets made a waterproof seal. This worked perfectly and is better looking.


Tight space behind the tank all connected.


I made a new wet dry compartment ot of eggcrate, wider than the original, not sacraficing any previously usable space in the sump. The pump that feeds the uv unit is placed under the original wet dry compartment, a Rio. 1200 gph flows thru the bio balls , the Rio grabs 1000 gph and sends it to the uv wich rains down thru the second wet dry compartment and meets up with the other 200gph.

The pump




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[00rollins]

Plumbing comin from the pump (feed to uv) is on thr left , on the right the return to for the maim tank wich is temporarily in the refugium area until I change out the return plumbing.
In the return cover, bio sponge pieces.
Sitting ontop of a hinged cover to the wet dry compartment.
Then water flows thru fine carbon padding in the compartment on top of my media
The compartment is filled with ceramic rings, 6 big mesh bags full, 7th mesh bag with carbon ( livingroom tank, for odor control) needed an 8th bag of media not on hand so temporarily used floss in its place.
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[00rollins]

Soon I will be adding a plant basket that will sit on the lip on the right of the eggcrate compartment, above sump.water line dripline will plug into distribution network within the basketView attachment 833450basket is In production
Gonna pick up a small beamswork led clamp on unit, basket will be filled with pothos. Refugium for plant cuttings, driftwood planting and maybe fry will be added in the next compartment over (not in the pics)


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[00rollins]

Uv is a lot more powerful than the turbo twist on my 125, shines thru the flex hose intake

Pic of intake
With no fash you can see the uv light
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[00rollins]

Any suggestions to further increase efficiency to this sump are welcome

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[00rollins]

Any suggestions to further increase efficiency to this sump are welcome

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[paulW]

Any suggestions to further increase efficiency to this sump are welcome

It looks good to me as is.. Are you having any problems that prompted this question, or are you just trying to make the ultimate sump. If your fish are healthy and the water is clear, I wouldn't do anything else.